Chasing a modest 191 to win, India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first cricket One-day International match at HPCA stadium. Opener Tom Latham was top scorer for the Kiwis with his unbeaten 79-run knock while Hardik Pandya (3/31) and Amit Mishra (3/49) took three wickets apiece for the hosts. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 85 to take India home. Ajinkya Rahane scored 33 while skipper MS Dhoni was unlucky to get run out at 21, when India required just 29 runs to win.
Earlier, India bowled New Zealand out for 190 in 43.5 overs. Kiwi batsmen struggled to score runs as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Indian bowlers bowled tight spells and put pressure on visitors. Opening batsman Tom Lathnam (79 not out) and pacer Tim Southee (55) were involved in a 71 run partnership for the ninth wicket. Martin Guptill and Doug Bracewell contributed with 12 and 15 runs respectively.
